In the bag for Zabalua

There was a thrilling race in Valencia for the final day of the 1st Magic Marine BetPro D-One Gold Cup. The end results was that Argentina's Agustin Zabalua has been crowned the first Champion of the Magic Marine BetPro D-One Gold Cup. 30 helmsmen from 14 nations entered this year's event.

In the first race today Zabalua was first across the finishing line first, scoring his third victory in this series. He was followed by Italian Andrea Gancia in second and Hungarian Olympic Laser sailor Zsombor Berecz in third.

At this point nothing was decided. With a sixth and final race carrying double points there was still much shaping to be done on the final scoreboard. The fleet crossed the start line in a six knot breeze from 115deg but this slowly died to nothing while competitors were working their way up the second beat. The Real Club Nautico de
Valencia Race Committee rightfully decided to abandon the race and the sailors returned to shore where an enormous paella was awaiting them.

Agustin Zabalua won with the scoreline of 4-2-1-1-1, ending up a 4-point lead on Hungarian Zsombor Berecz (1-6-2-3-3) and a 6-point margin over Croatian Ivan Gaspic (3-1-5-2-8), first of the six Olympic Finn sailors who took part in the Championship. Britain's Ed Wright, who recently won the Finn Gold Cup, finished fourth overall (6-3-6-4-12) while Alberto Ferrari, the best of the Italians, was fifth (2-11-7-12-5).

In commenting the Championship, Luca Devoti stated, “We had three fantastic days and I am very satisfied with the fleet’s performance and with the way the event turned out. The weight equalization system proved to be a great intuition and success: all the best sailors between 72 and 95 kilos were vying for the lead. Our goal is to see the class
continue to grow by working with the five national associations and collaborating with the International Class we created here in Valencia that has Philippe Rogge as its President. The Real Club Nautico de Valencia was perfect both on the water and on shore. The next edition of the Magic Marine BetPro D-One Gold Cup will take place in Riva del Garda, Italy, at the end of July 2011.”